Republicans, Democrats fight over filibuster on anniversary

AUSTIN – Sen. Wendy Davis and fellow Democrats celebrated the anniversary of her filibuster against tighter abortion laws Wednesday as a fight for women’s rights.

Republicans suggested that the only positive aspect of the anniversary is that her effort to stop the legislation ultimately failed.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and Cecile Richards – president of Planned Parenthood and daughter of the last Democrat to be elected governor, the late Ann Richards – planned to join Davis, D-Fort Worth, along with supporters at an Austin rally to commemorate last year’s filibuster.

Throngs of Texans crowded the Capitol a year ago during Davis’ filibuster of legislation to ban abortion at 20 weeks and impose stricter standards on the procedure and the facilities that provide it.

That night ended in pandemonium when Republican leaders squelched her filibuster, saying she hadn’t abided by the rules. Democrats cried foul. Republicans tried to quickly approve the measure amid shouts from demonstrators that prevented senators from being heard.

Van de Putte, who came to the chamber from her father’s funeral, sparked a demonstration of support when she sought to adjourn the session but wasn’t recognized and asked the presiding Sen. Robert Duncan, “At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over a male colleague, senator?”

The legislation was stopped that night but later approved and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry.

Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Republican who is leading Davis in the race for governor, released a video testimonial Wednesday from a woman who said she survived a late-term abortion.

“As Sen. Davis and her late-term abortion lobby allies prepare to ‘celebrate’ her filibuster in support of late-term abortion, Greg Abbott continues to fight for life for all Texans. Greg Abbott believes that for a child to have a chance in life, a child must have a chance at life, and knows that Texans share these values,” said Abbott’s deputy communications director, Amelia Chassé.

Richards said in an interview that the restriction of women’s health services and cutoff of funding to Planned Parenthood clinics are among issues that will motivate women to vote.

Regarding health care, Abbott has backed and defended laws cutting off government funding to Planned Parenthood clinics, requiring a sonogram before an abortion and the restrictions approved last year. The Republican-led state barred clinics associated with abortion providers from the Women’s Health Program, even though the clinics themselves didn’t provide abortion.

Richards also cited Abbott’s opposition to a state measure on equal pay – he said there are enough protections already – and his defense in court of the public education finance system that’s under challenge by school districts that call it inequitable and inadequate.

“When you talk to women about what’ s happening, why the election matters, and refer to the closure of women’s health centers across the state of Texas, this is not new news to them,” Richards said. “They recognize what the Legislature has done – Gov. Perry, Mr. Abbott, the whole crew here – that there has been a concerted effort to cut women off of health care in this state.

“That is very motivating for people,” Richards said. “Not only that Wendy Davis has been such a stalwart champion for women and for families, but Greg Abbott has done everything in his power to reduce women’s access to care.”